Online PR News – 30-August-2013 – Plantation, Florida – PLANTATION, FLA — This month the Institute for Mathematics and Computer Science (IMACS) – acclaimed for fostering lifelong problem-solving and critical thinking skills – celebrates 20 years of serving talented children as it expands its math program to Aventura, Florida. From humble beginnings of just 37 students in 1993, IMACS has grown to include 20 locations in four states and two distance learning programs. Together, IMACS programs serve more than 3,700 students across 10 countries.

Whether at local IMACS classes or through its distance learning programs, eIMACS and Elements of Mathematics: Foundations (EMF), each IMACS student is challenged by ability level, not by age, using games, puzzles, dynamic technology and other engaging activities. Through these challenges, students develop logical reasoning skills far beyond their most advanced peers. In fact, some students are taking college-level IMACS courses by the time they reach middle school.

To IMACS President, Terry Kaufman, the institute's growth isn't surprising. "IMACS was founded 20 years ago on the idea that students' progress must be based on a genuine understanding of concepts, not on rote memorization," Kaufman said. "Many of our local families, as well as our distance learning students, are actively looking for supplements to an educational system that historically has emphasized standardized test performance over the development of critical thinking skills."

IMACS' focus on logical and creative thinking has produced results for its graduates. Many go on to excel at top universities of their choice, including Harvard, Yale, MIT, Stanford and Caltech, and are recruited by major tech companies such as Google, Facebook and Microsoft.

"Former IMACS students tell me they're surprised to see the benefits of our elementary enrichment classes lasting five to ten years later when they are in high school," said Ted Sweet, IMACS Director of Curriculum Development. "Then in college and beyond, they realize the truth: the rigorous thinking skills they developed at IMACS have given them an advantage that will last their entire lives."

In addition to operating classes at its Plantation headquarters, IMACS and its affiliates hold after-school and weekend classes at locations throughout South Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and Connecticut. Some locations also offer the IMACS Hi-Tech Summer Camp. For students who do not have local access to IMACS, select components of its highly acclaimed curriculum are available online at www.eimacs.com and www.elementsofmathematics.com.

If you would like to find out more about IMACS classes or its eIMACS and EMF distance learning programs, contact them at 954-791-2333 or www.imacs.org. IMACS' Plantation headquarters is located at 7435 NW 4th Street.

The Institute of Mathematics and Computer Science uses lively and innovative methods of teaching high level mathematics, computer science and logical reasoning skills to elementary and secondary school students.